Proverbs 6:33 kjv
A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.
Proverbs 6:33 nkjv
Wounds and dishonor he will get, And his reproach will not be wiped away.
Proverbs 6:33 niv
Blows and disgrace are his lot, and his shame will never be wiped away.
Proverbs 6:33 esv
He will get wounds and dishonor, and his disgrace will not be wiped away.
Proverbs 6:33 nlt
He will be wounded and disgraced.
His shame will never be erased.
Proverbs 6 33 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 5:9-11 | "...lest you give your honor to others... and in the end you groan... when your flesh and body are consumed." | Loss of honor, physical, and emotional ruin from immorality. |
| Prov 7:26-27 | "For she has cast down many wounded; and all her victims are the slain... her house is the way to hell." | Immorality leads to destruction, metaphorical "wounds," and death. |
| Heb 13:4 | "Marriage is honorable... but fornicators and adulterers God will judge." | God's judgment on sexual immorality, implying grave consequences. |
| Prov 2:18-19 | "For her house leads down to death... none who go to her return again, nor do they regain the paths of life." | The path of the adulterous woman is irreversible destruction. |
| Jer 23:40 | "And I will bring upon you an everlasting reproach and perpetual shame which shall not be forgotten." | Prophetic warning of enduring shame and disgrace. |
| Dan 12:2 | "And many... shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt." | Eternal disgrace for those who choose evil. |
| Rom 6:21 | "What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death." | Links shame directly to the outcomes of sin. |
| Gal 6:7-8 | "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." | Principle of reaping what is sown, severe consequences for fleshly desires. |
| Ex 32:32-33 | "Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book." | God's power to "blot out," in contrast to human disgrace which cannot be easily erased. |
| Isa 43:25 | "I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake, and remembers your sins no more." | God forgives and wipes away sin; this verse contrasts with the lasting human disgrace. |
| Acts 3:19 | "Repent... that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord." | Sins are blotted out through repentance before God. |
| 1 Cor 6:18-19 | "Flee sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body." | Sexual sin uniquely damages one's own body and person, related to "wounds." |
| Nah 3:5-6 | "I will throw abominable filth on you, make you vile, and make you a spectacle." | Image of public shaming and disgrace. |
| Prov 11:2 | "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." | General principle: wrongful acts bring disgrace. |
| Prov 22:1 | "A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver or gold." | Highlights the high value of a good reputation, lost through dishonor. |
| Prov 28:13 | "Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy." | While confession can bring divine mercy, public disgrace from adultery can linger. |
| Rom 5:5 | "And hope does not put us to shame..." | Hope in God prevents ultimate shame; implying unrighteousness leads to shame. |
| Titus 3:3 | "...for we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray... slaves to various passions and pleasures..." | The destructive nature of living according to corrupt desires. |
| 2 Sam 12:7-14 | Nathan confronting David for Bathsheba and Uriah's sin, highlighting the lasting consequences and public scandal. | Direct example of the far-reaching disgrace of adultery, even after forgiveness. |
| Hos 4:10-11 | "They shall eat, but not be satisfied... They commit prostitution, but no longer procreate... wine, new wine, and immorality take away the understanding." | Depicts emptiness and lack of blessing associated with spiritual and physical harlotry. |
| Mal 2:13-16 | "For I hate divorce, says the LORD, the God of Israel, and covering one's garment with violence..." | Condemns marital treachery, hinting at deep social/spiritual wounds. |
| Gen 34:7 | "They spoke because Shechem had committed an outrageous act against Israel by lying with Jacob's daughter, Dinah, and that was not to be done." | Sexual violation causes "outrage," dishonor, and grave offense within the community. |
Proverbs 6 verses
Proverbs 6 33 Meaning
Proverbs 6:33 unequivocally declares the lasting and severe consequences awaiting a man who commits adultery. Such an individual will certainly incur "wounds," encompassing physical harm, social rejection, or the painful ramifications of their illicit act. More significantly, they will suffer "dishonor," a public and indelible disgrace that taints their reputation and character. This shame, unlike other forms of wrongdoing that might be atoned for, "will not be wiped away," meaning it leaves a permanent, unforgivable stain on their person, family, and standing within the community.
Proverbs 6 33 Context
Proverbs 6:33 is nestled within a larger admonition (6:20-35) against sexual immorality, particularly adultery. This section directly contrasts the severity of adultery with other crimes, specifically theft (6:30-31). While a thief, if caught, might make restitution or even face harsh penalties, there is an underlying possibility of restoration of order or payment. Adultery, however, is presented as a crime with no possible restitution to the wronged party; its damage is fundamentally irreparable. The entire passage uses vivid imagery and strong warnings, emphasizing that passion is fleeting, but the bitter, permanent consequences of adultery far outweigh any fleeting pleasure. In a society deeply rooted in family honor, marital fidelity, and a patriarch's ownership/protection of his household, the act of adultery was a profound violation not only against God but against societal norms, family lines, and personal dignity. The "wounds" and "dishonor" were both physical (potential vengeance from the husband) and reputational, a stain on oneself and one's descendants that traditional cultural rituals could not easily remove.
Proverbs 6 33 Word analysis
- He: Implicitly refers to "the man who commits adultery with his neighbor's wife" from Proverbs 6:29-32. The focus is squarely on the perpetrator and the certainty of consequences for his action.
- will get: This strong declarative phrase indicates absolute certainty. It is a promise of inescapable consequence, not a possibility. The Hebrew future tense verb yaṣa’ (יצא, often "go out") used here signifies "receive" or "acquire" in this context, highlighting an unavoidable outcome that issues forth from the act itself.
- wounds: Hebrew: makkot (מַכּוֹת), plural of makkah, meaning "blows," "strokes," "wounds," or "stripes." This term encompasses physical violence (e.g., judicial punishment, vengeance from the offended husband) and deep internal pain, anguish, or spiritual suffering. It suggests a bruising, harmful experience that is painful and damaging.
- and: The conjunction connects two severe, distinct yet related consequences: physical/emotional harm and public disgrace, intensifying the total outcome.
- dishonor: Hebrew: qalon (קָלוֹן), meaning "disgrace," "shame," "ignominy," or "contempt." In honor-shame cultures, loss of qalon was one of the most feared outcomes. This refers to public scorn, social exclusion, and a permanent reduction in social standing. It affects one's public identity and esteem.
- and his disgrace: Hebrew: ûkhelmatô (וּכְלִמָּתוֹ), from kelimmah (כְּלִמָּה) meaning "reproach," "shame," or "ignominy." This re-emphasizes and amplifies the concept of dishonor already introduced. The possessive suffix "-ow" ("his") powerfully underlines that this shame is deeply personal and affixed to the individual. It's not just a general shame but his specific, personal disgrace.
- will not be wiped away: Hebrew: lō’ yimmāḥeh (לֹא יִמָּחֶה), literally "will not be wiped off/blotted out/erased." The verb maḥah (מָחָה) means "to wipe, blot out, obliterate, efface." The negative particle lo’ ensures permanence. This phrase conveys that the stain of this specific sin is lasting; it cannot be removed by time, by repentance in human eyes, or by any societal act of cleansing. Unlike financial debt which can be paid (6:31), the mark of adultery remains, defining the person's legacy and standing.
Word Group Analysis:
- "wounds and dishonor": This pairing emphasizes both the direct, painful consequences inflicted upon the individual (physical/emotional harm) and the profound social degradation. It speaks to both personal suffering and public ruination, affecting both the inner state and outward standing.
- "and his disgrace will not be wiped away": This powerful clause acts as the definitive conclusion of the verse and the warning against adultery. It distinguishes adultery from other offenses that might fade with time or be compensated. The repetition of "disgrace/dishonor" highlights the severity of the reputational damage, making it permanent. Unlike God who "blots out" sins of the repentant (Isa 43:25), human society (and often, personal memory/regret) may not "wipe away" the stigma of such an egregious act. This signifies an enduring stain on one's character and lineage, extending possibly across generations or into an individual's perpetual memory in the community.
Proverbs 6 33 Bonus section
The specific choice of the Hebrew verb maḥah (wipe away) often connects to the concept of blotting out names from a book (like the book of life) or blotting out sins. The use of this term here in a negative sense ("will not be wiped away") creates a stark contrast: God can blot out sins for the repentant (Isa 43:25, Acts 3:19), but the social and personal shame attached to adultery, in human experience, is typically profound and permanent. This reinforces the severe nature of the sin. The enduring disgrace might extend to one's descendants, particularly in patriarchal societies where a father's actions greatly influenced his children's standing. This permanent blemish distinguishes adultery from many other crimes that might eventually fade from public memory or be remedied. It highlights the deeply personal and societal breach involved in violating the marital covenant.
Proverbs 6 33 Commentary
Proverbs 6:33 serves as a stark warning within the wisdom literature, articulating the unique and permanent destructive power of adultery. Beyond any immediate physical or financial consequences, the true penalty is the indelible mark of disgrace that adheres to the perpetrator. This is not merely a social inconvenience but a profound loss of honor and respect that, in an ancient Near Eastern context, impacted one's standing, family reputation, and future prospects. The permanence ("will not be wiped away") emphasizes that certain acts carry a stain that human effort or time cannot easily erase. It underscores that while God offers forgiveness for sin, the earthly and social repercussions of adultery are profoundly long-lasting and devastating, far more so than a simple financial debt that can be repaid. The verse reveals the wisdom of God regarding the intrinsic and far-reaching harm caused by marital unfaithfulness, presenting it as an unparalleled act of folly with irredeemable public and personal shame.